Reviews Report
- Transamerica life insurance scores a 4.4 out of 5 according to Reviews.com methodology.
- In J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study, Transamerica is included among evaluated carriers but is not cited among the top-ranked brands; public materials indicate it performs below the industry average on a 1,000-point satisfaction scale.
- Transamerica’s indexed universal life (IUL) offerings, including FFIUL, blend permanent life insurance protection with index-linked crediting subject to caps/participation rates and policy charges; living benefit riders are commonly available where approved and governed by NAIC model standards such as Model #620 for accelerated benefits and Model #582 for illustrations.
Transamerica is a financial services company offering a wide variety of life insurance products, including term and whole life insurance policies as well as flexible options from Transamerica FFIUL. The index-linked crediting in the Transamerica Financial Foundation IUL® (FFIUL) supports policy value accumulation with downside protection, but credited interest is constrained by caps, participation rates, and spreads and must be illustrated under NAIC rules (Model #582) and recent AG 49-A guidance; see FINRA’s IUL overview for how these features work.
A notable feature of Transamerica is the availability of high coverage; in some cases, policyholders can get more than $10 million of coverage. On the other end of the spectrum, Transamerica FFIUL policies can be as low as $25,000 with affordable premiums. Across the industry, underwriting has modernized with broader accelerated (no-fluid) programs using electronic data, reflecting 2024–2025 trends toward faster digital issuance highlighted in industry outlooks (Deloitte Insurance Outlook; EY Global Insurance Outlook 2025).
Reading a full Transamerica FFIUL review now involves weighing updated customer satisfaction benchmarks, recent complaint index results by legal entity, and current financial strength ratings from multiple agencies. See J.D. Power (2024) for satisfaction context, the NAIC’s Consumer Information Source (CIS) for complaint indices by line of business and entity, and Transamerica’s financial strength ratings page for agency ratings details.
Transamerica Life Insurance Overview
Customer satisfaction results are best understood using the latest study cycle. In J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study, Transamerica participates but is not among the top-ranked carriers and is reported below the industry average on J.D. Power’s 1,000-point scale. For complaints, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners provides entity-specific indices in its Consumer Information Source (CIS). Look up Transamerica Life Insurance Company (NAIC 86231) and Transamerica Premier Life Insurance Company (NAIC 66281) to see the most recent annual Complaint Index for Individual Life and Annuities; an index of 1.00 equals the national average for that line. Transamerica’s indexed universal life policies can support long-term accumulation with access to cash value via loans and withdrawals, which may be tax-advantaged if structured properly under IRS rules (see IRC §72, §7702A, and IRS Publication 525). Consumers focused on traditional whole or term policies may also compare carriers with stronger recent satisfaction results.
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Transamerica Life Insurance Highlights
Transamerica Life Insurance vs. The Competition
| Provider | Reviews.com Score | In business since | AM Best | J.D. Power* |
| Transamerica | 4.4 | 1904 | A | Below average (2024) |
| State Farm | 4.6 | 1922 | A++ | Above average (2024) |
| Northwestern Mutual | 4.4 | 1859 | A++ | Above average (2024) |
| Nationwide | 5 | 1925 | A+ | Around average (2024) |
Information accurate as of November 2025
*J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Life Insurance Satisfaction Study. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Transamerica vs. State Farm
Transamerica and State Farm both offer term, whole, and universal life insurance policies. In J.D. Power’s 2024 life study, State Farm is above the industry average while Transamerica is below average. Financial strength also differs: State Farm Life holds top-tier AM Best A++ (Superior) per company disclosures (State Farm ratings), while Transamerica Life’s AM Best rating is A (Excellent) as listed on Transamerica’s ratings page.
Both carriers sell policies nationwide (product features and underwriting paths vary by state). If service experience and local agent interaction are priorities, State Farm’s above-average 2024 satisfaction results may appeal; value-focused term or IUL designs may point shoppers to compare Transamerica as well. For broader industry positioning, see NAIC’s Life/Fraternal Market Share Reports.
Transamerica vs. Northwestern Mutual
Northwestern Mutual is a mutual company whose participating whole life policies may pay dividends when declared; dividends are not guaranteed. Transamerica’s IUL designs credit interest based on external indices (subject to caps/participation, policy charges, and illustration limits under NAIC Model #582 and AG 49-A), rather than paying participating policy dividends.
Both offer term, whole, and universal life options, but Northwestern Mutual typically scores above the industry average in J.D. Power’s 2024 study and maintains top-tier AM Best A++ (Superior) per company disclosures (Northwestern Mutual financial strength). Northwestern Mutual remains a market-share leader in individual life according to NAIC reports.
Transamerica vs. Nationwide
Nationwide’s portfolio includes term, whole life, indexed UL, and variable UL, plus survivorship and living benefit riders where approved. It holds AM Best A+ (Superior) per company disclosures (Nationwide financial strength). In J.D. Power’s 2024 life study, Nationwide generally performs around the industry average, while Transamerica is below average.
For accumulation-oriented permanent life with robust rider menus, Nationwide’s breadth can be attractive. Transamerica’s IUL and value-focused term often compete on pricing and broad face-amount ranges. Compare underwriting paths, rider definitions, and illustration assumptions carefully, using NAIC Model #582 disclosures and FINRA’s IUL guidance.
Transamerica Life Insurance FAQ
Methodology
We evaluated Transamerica Life Insurance based on riders, coverage, resources, financial strength and customer satisfaction to determine Reviews.com scores and create our best life insurance reviews. To compare life insurance companies with other providers across the board, we calculate each Reviews.com score based on the following:
- Number of Riders: The more riders a life insurance company has, the higher it scores in our Reviews.com methodology; we consider availability of accelerated death benefit riders consistent with NAIC Model #620.
- Financial Stability: Reviews.com utilized AM Best ratings to assign a score based on each life insurance company’s financial stability, and we reference other agencies’ scales for additional context (AM Best Guide; S&P Ratings Definitions; Moody’s Rating Symbols; Fitch Insurance Rating Criteria).
- Customer Satisfaction: With J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study, we assign context to each company based on the most recent results and publicly named leaders.
- Coverage: Life insurance companies scored higher if customers can convert term to permanent coverage and if they offered multiple options under different types of life insurance policies; for indexed UL, we consider compliance with NAIC Model #582 and the clarity of index disclosures.
- Resources and Service: We compared policy servicing and digital resources (online quotes, e-application, electronic policy delivery) and considered recent complaint index levels and trends available via NAIC’s CIS.
